Preserving the Texts of West Sussex

Ever wondered what is the biggest danger for old texts and maps? Fire? Water? Mutant silverfish?

These are things that need to be considered when you are responsible for preserving the texts of West Sussex, from AD 780 to the present day.

Last month, Year 13 A Level English Language students visited the West Sussex Records Office, just up the road on Westgate. They were shown the strong room, which houses thousands of documents, protected from damage, in 8 miles worth of secure shelving.

Archivist Nichola Court showed the students an amazing array of texts, including a letter from a local woman who was opposed to female suffrage, a flapper’s diary and correspondences by settlers to the New World in the 17th Century. Most fascinating of all was an original document granting land south of Chichester dating back to AD780, during the reign of Oslac, King of the South Saxons.

The West Sussex Records Office is a treasure trove right on our doorstep and an excellent resource for A Level, GCSE and KS3 students alike.

Steve Collins, Head of English